On June 1, 2017, Canada’s Ontario province passed The Supporting Children, Youth and Families Act of 2017 (Bill 89), which requires courts, social workers, and adoption services to consider “race, ancestry, place of origin, color, ethnic origin, citizenship, family diversity, disability, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression” when making decisions about the well-being of children.

In unprecedented fashion, the new law allows for the removal of biological children from their parents if the parents do not support their child’s homosexuality or gender identity or expression of choice.

Such opposition to LGBTQ-related beliefs are now considered “abuse” or child endangerment, wherein the child can be removed from the home to make the abuse stop.

Bill 89 replaces the previous Child and Family Services Act, where parents had the right to direct a child’s “education and religious upbringing.” The new law deletes the parent’s rights to raise their children according to their religious beliefs, and instead instructs parents to “direct the child’s or young person’s education and upbringing, in accordance with the child’s or young person’s creed, community identity and cultural identity.”

Michael Coteau, Minister of Children and Youth Services (image news.ontario.ca)

According to Michael Coteau, Minister of Children and Youth Services, “We listened to people across the province, including young people with experience in care, and used what we heard to strengthen services and better protect and care for Ontario’s most vulnerable young people. Our Child, Youth and Family Services Act puts children and youth at the heart of decision-making and paves the way for services that are more accountable and responsive.”

Opponents have called the measure oppressive and a violation of religious liberties. “With the passage of Bill 89, we’ve entered an era of totalitarian power by the state, such as never witnessed before in Canada’s history,” said Jack Fonseca of Canada’s Campaign Life Coalition.

“Make no mistake, Bill 89 is a grave threat to Christians and all people of faith who have children, or who hope to grow their family through adoption.”

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So, What’s the Play Call?

Let’s pray for Canadian parents who are affected by this new law.

Christ followers in America, what are your thoughts? The word of God tells parents to train up a child in the way they should go – not “children, train your parents to approve of your ways.” Proverbs 22:6

Will the body of Christ stand against such laws? Will you render obedience to Caesar that actually belongs to God (Matthew 22:21)?

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